Metal Mouth Message Board

Was told 24/7 when I first got my retainer. After first six week retainer check, I was told that I could cut back to only nighttime wear.

It's still tight everytime I put it in though, I can tell my upper arch gets a bit narrower when it's out.

EDIT: That's for upper and lower hawleys.

I have orange retainers and last night after almost two months of having them I discovered they are also glow in the dark.

Had my first retainer check yesterday. I had a piece of the bonding from my chipped upper incisor come off overnight last week. While my ortho agreed to replace it at this appointment, I was told that it likely wouldn't hold any longer than the previous (two months or so) because of the position of ...

I've been using retainer brite with solder points after my ortho gave permission. I'm still wary of it, because of Lynn's advice, and am looking for signs of breakage. I still have some white spots on mine and I'm not sure whether it's calcus buildup or if it's discoloration. I'm afraid to scar my r...

I felt initially that my upper hawley didn't fit as snug as it should, but at a week and a half in, it feels like it fits fine. It just takes a little getting used to.

I can't bite down completely either because of wires that sit where my canines interlock.

I pointed this out to my ortho upon receipt and was brushed off. Apparently it is not a concern.

Thanks for the quick responses guys. How did it feel after having your braces off? What did you find you had to adjust to? I assume you're meaning the look and feel? Your teeth will look huge. They'll feel really slimy and your tongue will spend quite a while working its way across them, especially...

My molds were taken the day of debanding and then I had a week wait until my retainers (hawley) arrived.

There was some movement but the retainers quickly addressed the largest relapsing.

Called up my orthodontist today regarding the concern over solder and Retainer Brite and was officially given the go ahead to use it.

I'm still interested in hearing more from Lynn regarding her background with the information.

Not sure I'd be bold enough for neon orange! I went in thinking "they're behind your teeth, who will know or care?" And for the most part that's true, with the exception of when I open my lower jaw fairly wide, you can see behind my teeth -- doesn't happen too frequently. Colored retainer...

I was very worried about speaking with the Hawleys - very apprehensive about the lower, but that's proved to be largely a non-issue. It made me a bit gaggy initially, but only briefly. I am sure the upper will cause speach issues, but I also know I managed to get t hrough those as a kiddo when I ha...

Can't say re configuration. My lower retainer has solder points, and when I asked about cleaning my ortho reminded the assistant to get a sample of Retainer Brite, but made a point to say that denture cleaners were not an acceptable alternative because of the solder points :? Hmmm.... I know I've r...

Okay, so my search on Archwired for Retainer Brite led me to the information that it's not safe for solder, which both of my retainers have. That's disappointing because I'd really like to have a quick fix to keeping it clean -- interestingly enough my ortho gave me samples of Retainer Brite and sai...

Thanks for the response! Did you guys wait until the end of the year to get reimbursed and fill out all the paperwork or did you just use the debit card provided by HSA acct to pay on the spot? Waiting until the end of the year defeats the purpose doesn't it? I did not receive a debit card, that wo...

Okay, it's been three full days now since I've been wearing my retainers and things have improved dramatically. checklist: gagging - gone nausea - gone burping - dramatically decreased. 8) drinking - no longer fearing choking. speech - much improved, still a little awkward and slurred. Like most thi...